This week in Christian history: John of Damascus, St. Columba, St. Paul's Cathedral opens
By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor 
St. Paul's Cathedral opens - December 2, 1697
This week marks the anniversary of when St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, England officially opened, replacing an earlier sanctuary that had fallen into disrepair due to many reasons.
Architect Christopher Wren designed the new cathedral following the Great Fire of 1666, with the opening worship including the then newly composed anthem “I was glad when they said unto me” by John Blow.
“The first service is one of thanksgiving for peace, following the end of a war between England and France,” explained St. Paul’s in the history section of its website.
